Entries are now open for the 2017 Hawke’s Bay Sevens tournament, hosted by the Central Hawke’s Bay Rugby & Sports Club in Waipukurau, on 18 February 2017 are now open. The programme can cater for a maximum of 45 teams split into 15 sections of 3 teams each. With three divisions the line -up can vary: Men’s 18-21-24 teams; Colts (Under 21yrs @ 31 – 8 – 17) 12-15-18 teams; Women’s 6 -8-9 teams. Entries close 8 February 2017. For further enquires please contact the Tournament Controller, Ross Angus Phone (06)857 8769 or Email :- hautope@yahoo.co.nz.

28 November: Portia Woodman scores three in NZ win

Counties Manukau wing/centre Portia Woodman scored a hat-trick of tries as the Black Ferns eased past Ireland 38-8 in their rugby international in Dublin to complete their season unbeaten. Fullback Selica Winiata also scored two tries and first five-eighth Kelly Brazier one in the Black Ferns' comfortable six-try win to make it three wins from three on their northern tour. Prior to the tour-ending Dublin international, the Black Ferns had also beaten world champions England 25-20 in London and Canada 20-10 in Dublin. New Zealand 38 (Portia Woodman 3, Selica Winata 2, Kelly Brazier tries, Kendra Cocksedge 3 con, Hazel Tubic con) Ireland 8 (Niamh Kavanagh try, Niamh Briggs con, Nora Stapleton pen)

27 November: Tasman win South Island Sevens

Tasman won the Southern Regional Sevens in Timaru for the first time on Saturday with a 12-5 win in the final over defending champions Otago to take home the Tofa Shield. Tries to Sam Chamberlain and Willy Havili, to a solitary try to Otago's Gavin Stark, ultimately left Tasman unbeaten and with both hands securely on the main prize.Read more here

26 November: Fijians add flair to South Canterbury sevens side

Five Fijian players should add plenty of flair to the South Canterbury sevens side at the Southern Regional Sevens on their home territory in Timaru today. A feature of the South Canterbury team is Timaru Boys' High School's wing Isireli Kawa. Kawa was one of the stand out backs in the Crusaders Schools Championship and was the fourth top try scorer. The 19-year-old is also the quickest in the South Canterbury sevens side, so if he gets into space he could cause problems for the opposition. Read more here

24 November: Perenara to start at halfback in season ender

TJ Perenara (Northern United) has been selected to start at halfback for the All Blacks in their final Test of 2016, against France in Paris this Sunday morning at 9.00am (NZT). Dane Coles (Poneke) and Julian and Ardie Savea (Oriental-Rongotai) are the other Wellington players in the 23 for this international. The All Blacks will be hunting their 44th win in their 57th Test against France.

Battered hooker Dane Coles (Poneke) will be wary of France after thrashing them in the World Cup quarter-final just over a year ago, at the end of a long season.Read more here

22 November: All Blacks coaches face a big call on Aaron Smith

The All Blacks coaches are certain that Aaron Smith is the best halfback in the world. But they face a hard task this week trying to determine whether he is the best player for them to start at halfback against France. The conviction about Smith's place in the world order is based on when he is at the top of his game, but he hasn't found his form since returning from his airport affair. Read more here

That was some year, that 2016. Here were my key correct predictions for 2016. The Hurricanes would not only be Super Rugby champions but achieve it after an incredible three game finals run where they conceded no tries. The All Blacks would set a world record streak but make even more history by becoming the first side in black to lose to Ireland. England - yes, England - would be well on the way to being world no.2.

UPDATED Friday:
The East Coast Men's team has withdrawn from the tournament.
Updated information:
· 2 pools of 4 teams · Round Robin pool play within own pool - 3 games each · 1st in Pool A will play 2nd in Pool B and 2nd Pool A will play 1st in Pool B in the Cup Semi Finals (1st – 4th). · 3rd in Pool A will play 4th Pool B and 4th Pool A will play 3rd Pool B in 5th v 6th Playoff Semi-Finals.

Above: Beauden Barrett adding to his 199 points this year for the Hurricanes.
The Charles Monro Rugby Volunteer of the Year Award will lead the community accolades at next Thursday's annual New Zealand Rugby awards at a swanky inner city Auckland venue.
The Charles Monro award - named after the man who introduced rugby to New Zealand in 1870 - recognises club rugby's volunteers. This year's three nominees are from Auckland, Manawatu and Wellington.

Two local lads are coming home.
All Blacks apprentice and second five-eighth Jordie Barrett and former Canterbury halfback Logan Crowley have signed up for Taranaki it was revealed on Tuesday.
Taranaki Bulls coach Colin Cooper was thrilled to have the two up and coming players back home, who played together at Francis Douglas Memorial College.

What went through your head on Sunday as the All Blacks staggered across the line in Paris? I decided I'd live blog my internal ramblings as game went on. Not always coherent, but here we go. PRE-GAME That strip. Well, let's see if it wins or not. Pretty much all that counts. Oh no, no singer for the anthems. Cunning, as the boys mumble through what may be God Defend, or something by Adele, it's hard to tell. Thought that counts though. No such confusion with La Marsellaise.